Thursday 1 August 2013

BEAUTY IN THE WALLET OF THE BEHOLDER



They say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and I refer to your dress sense on this one. You pay to appear beautiful, regardless of your social and economic status. From hair to dress to pedicure, taking fashion seriously means you take your pockets seriously as well.

And if you earn salary, I can imagine what your office policy allows for Dress Codes:
You are advised to come to work dressed according to your salary, if we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we will assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise. If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise. If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.

However, I strongly think you do not have to give out your left arm to appear your best and fashionable. There are always ways to cut through all the high blood pressure of looking good from hair to toes:

1.     Have a budget – Plan your earnings, there is always so much else to do with money than shoes, clothes, jewelry and make-up. Decide on how much you are willing to spend and stick to it 



2.     Plan ahead for what you want to buy: Make a separate list of what you need and what you want. Be specific about it.

3.     Buy best quality items (for clothes and hair) that you can afford – Instead of buying several cheap things or (worse) imitation goods that will wear out or shrink in less time, put your money on quality. Trust me when I also say quality doesn't ONLY live at Harrods or Louis Vuitton, so don’t solely rely on high-end stores .

4.     You can wait for a sale – The trend really does not just fade into thin air, if you cannot afford it at that moment, you can wait for the stores to slash the price on the desired item. Be on the look-out for good bargains, sales, and discounts.

5.     Buy your items in bits – This helps you check your spending and gives you the opportunity to make choices from a range of alternatives. Buy the essential stuff – outfits or pieces of the outfit or accessories.

6.     Mix and match your clothes – there’s never one way (alone) to wear something in your closet. Use the essentials, and other separates to build looks. Work around colors, patterns, solids and textures. You can create beautiful looks from what you already have or mixing your latest buys with your existing stuff.    

7.     Re-engineer some of your old clothes or styles to fit present trends – know or make friends with a good designer (u can always reach out to us- Crossword CW), if you have no skill in changing thread-work.

8.     Buy vintage clothes – because in the real sense fashion repeats itself

9.     Accessorize – Use accessories to update your outfit. Literally a brooch, that chunky necklace, some earrings, a scarf can change your whole outfit in dramatic ways 

Most importantly, exude confidence, and have a kind and polite character. Personality sells as hard as clothes too
It is so easy to get carried away with a dream of extravagant sprees, like you see in the movies. Being fashionable doesn't have to cost a fortune. You can look dressed to the nines and all haute couture, when all you are doing is combining well-chosen pieces….and trust me, it sure works J

Now ladies, regardless of which city or town you may reside, Crossword CW can help in your quest to have and maintain your fashion groove… call us on +2348091895225